Welcome to the Piano World Piano ForumsOver 2 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

I love the Christmas season, and I think it's so exciting to watch young students come alive at this time of year with concerts, and all the other exciting events that go along with it.

I'm currently finishing my students' gifts... I buy plain Christmas balls to go on the tree, and write their name, the year, and my name on the ornament in good quality glitter glue from the local scrapbooking store. They're cheap to make, and the kids and parents love them!

Do you give your students anything for Christmas? A card? A gift? Both? I'm interested to hear what everyone chooses to do this time of year!

I give my students a certificate congratulating them on working so hard this year and a small bag of chocolates. I hand them out at my recital/Christmas party.

It's very timely here in Switzerland, as the day of my party is December 6, which is the day that Samichlaus comes. He's a bit like Santa Claus but not quite! (Less rotund and jolly, and usually accompanied by his helper, Schmutzli, who is there to punish the naughty kids). Samichlaus leaves out bags of nuts, chocolate and yummy gingerbread for kids.

Hmmm, maybe having Schmutzli around would be a good idea for some of of those students less prone to practice and concentration!

_________________________
"Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn." -- Richard Henry DannFull-time Private Piano Teacher offering Piano Lessons in Olympia, WA. www.mypianoteacher.comCertified by the American College of Musicians; member NGPT, MTNA, WSMTA, OMTA

This year, I bought each of them a small bag of sweets from a really cute candy store. The sweets are a little unique (differently flavored sprinkles on them). The gift wasn't expensive at all but I'm quite certain the kids will appreciate it. Like come on, who doesn't like candy?!

If the students stick to many years of piano lessons with you, they'll be able to decorate a whole tree... :-)

I keep doing them because I know the kids really like them... this is the third year I've made them, and it is most definitely time-consuming, having to make apx. 80 every year (I teach groups, hence the big number of students!), but the kids are telling me this year that they put up the Christmas tree, and Mrs. Lois's christmas ornaments are on proud display!

I give our practice notepads for the year at the recital. We have a punch & cookies reception after the recital. My Grandmother and I give the students each a baggie to fill with leftover cookies to take home

I haven't done this before, but at my Christmas recital this weekend, I am going to give my students a certificate for one free lesson during the summer. Summer lessons are optional, and last year I had only one student continue. I'm hoping a freebie over the summer might make fall semester less painful.

Hi everyone - my first post on this site! I'm glad to find this thread as I've been agonizing over this. I was tempted to give away a free summer lesson to everyone but I'm not sure that's a good precedent to set. So I found these neat piano pencil sharpeners at FriendshipHouse.com (the keys move up and down when you sharpen your pencil) which I'll put in a goody bag with a holiday pencil, some home-baked cookies and candy canes. I might give my adult students the free summer lesson though...they are in the minority and probably don't need any more junk, or junk food.

Hi everyone - my first post on this site! I'm glad to find this thread as I've been agonizing over this. I was tempted to give away a free summer lesson to everyone but I'm not sure that's a good precedent to set. So I found these neat piano pencil sharpeners at FriendshipHouse.com (the keys move up and down when you sharpen your pencil) which I'll put in a goody bag with a holiday pencil, some home-baked cookies and candy canes. I might give my adult students the free summer lesson though...they are in the minority and probably don't need any more junk, or junk food.

Welcome Morgen!

I think you folks are generous! I am only giving my students a 2 week break.